POWER UP Announces a Second Year Programme to Transform the Careers of Black Tastemakers

After an incredibly successful first year programme in 2021, which gave way to a plethora of uber-talented tastemakers including neo-soul canary Ego Ella May who won Vocalist of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards, the Nova Twins whose critically acclaimed debut album got them a billboard on the iconic NYC Times Square, and Daniel Kidane who was elected into the Ivors Academy Senate, POWER UP has now announced an exciting Year 2 programme, now open for applications.

Curated by Ben Wynter, the PRS Foundation and an ESC with some of the most influential and highly acclaimed lack professionals in its arsenal, the POWER UP initiative has been moulded by trusted and experienced hands.In partnership with Youtube Music, Spotify, Beggars Group and the Black Music Coalition while being supported by a vast catalogue of companies, the POWER UP initiative aims to level up the careers and networks of black music creators and professionals in order to even out the playing field for black creatives in the music industry.

With equal representation still having a long way to go, the POWER UP scheme is meticulously designed to elevate and amplify black voices and their content, with chosen candidates being financially supported with grants up to £15,000, having access to professional development masterclasses, several collaborative opportunities, mentoring and coaching amongst a myriad of other honing methods tailored to get them one step closer to their dreams.

Each year the participant programme pledges to support 20 black music creators of any genre and speciality, such as producers, songwriters, composers etc., and 20 black executives and industry professionals working in any realm of the industry. The deadline for applications is set for Thursday 17th February at 6pm and victorious applicants will be announced in April.

“When creating POWER UP, our vision was for the initiative to move the needle on anti-Black behaviour within the UK music industry and provide a platform with resources for the plethora of Black talent within the business to push through the glass ceiling to the next level. My desire from day one was for POWER UP to be the bridge between those that posted black squares and the Black talent in the business, to facilitate better dialogue for those companies that wanted to do better but didn’t know how to and break down the unspoken barriers that exist. I believe that we are succeeding in building these bridges through the Participant Programme and will go even further in Year 2 with the POWER UP Movement.” – Ben Wynter, POWER UP Co-founder.

For interested individuals, a thorough, in-depth application guide from Year 1 can be found here, with for more information on how to get involved on the PRS Foundation website.